The
Houston Department of Health and Human
Services (HDHHS) will spearhead an Assessment,
Intervention and Mobilization (AIM) project
in May to identify health-related issues in
Magnolia Park.

HDHHS along with community-based organizations
and community volunteers will visit more than
4,000 homes May 7-9 and distribute informational
packets featuring community resources located
within the East End neighborhood. HDHHS staff
and community volunteers will return beginning
in mid May to survey a smaller, representative
sample of Magnolia Park residents on health
issues.

The AIM project seeks to evaluate and improve
the ability of Magnolia Park residents to manage
their health and well-being. It will also help
link residents to needed health care or human
services.

Approximately 275 HDHHS employees and community
volunteers, many of them bilingual in Spanish,
will take part in the packet distribution.
They will also provide referrals for health
care and human services.

A smaller group of employees
and volunteers will block walk Magnolia Park
during the survey. Health issues that they
will query residents about include chronic
conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart
disease and high blood pressure, difficulties
obtaining health care, children’s
health including prenatal care and immunizations
and nutritional habits.

Other issues include household problems with
water leaks, carbon monoxide and standing water,
physical problems interfering with normal,
day-to-day activities, exercise, exposure to
second-hand smoke and car and industry emissions
in the environment.

HDHHS will follow up in June and July to ensure
residents have received the referrals for services
and that agencies are indeed providing the
assistance needed.

HDHHS also intends to use the project to help
improve communication among Magnolia Park residents
and agencies and decision-makers who can respond
to concerns and boost coordination efforts
to address public health needs.

The department organized a similar project
last year in the Tri-Community area comprised
of Clinton Park, Fidelity and Clinton View
neighborhoods.